1. The Board of Directors of Associação BIOPOLIS has decided to open an international call for PhD holder Researcher, under a a non-fixed term work contract. This announcement is intended to 1 (one) research position (Reference BIOPOLIS 2022-88) to pursue scientific research activities in the TROPIBIO NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000046 in the area of Wildlife Conservation Ecology, under a work contract for a non-fixed term, aiming at the development and support to research in conservation ecology of  wildlife communities and populations, particularly targeting mammals. The tasks in the work plan include: i) supporting the group leader in project coordination and student supervisions, ii) contributing to cohesion and collaboration within the research group by organising regular group meetings, iii) preparing grant proposals, iv) ensuring logistic and operational functioning of ongoing projects (inc. overseeing tasks and activities), v) reporting to funders and other relevant stakeholders, vi) organizing preparing and carrying out field research expeditions in Southern African countries, with particular emphasis in Angola and Mozambique, vii) data management and statistical modelling, and viii) writing scientific papers. The workplan will be profoundly linked to research activities in southern African countries where CIBIO-InBIO has established TwinLab partnerships. The successful applicant will report directly to the Group Leader.

2. Applicable Legislation:

Decree-Law no. 57/2016 of August 29th, amended by Law 57/2017 and Regulatory Decree No. 11- A / 2017 which approved the doctorate hiring regime destined to stimulate scientific and technological employment for all knowledge areas (RJEC); Portuguese Labour Code, approved by Law 7/2009 of February 12, in its actual form. 

3. Pursuant to article 13 of RJEC, the tender selection panel is formed by: Pedro Beja (Member of the Board of ICETA, Vice-Scientific Coordinator of CIBIO, President of the Jury); Pedro Monterroso (Principal Researcher at BIOPOLIS/CIBIO-InBIO, and Group Leader of the Wildlife Conservation Ecology Research Group, vogal); and Fernando Sequeira (Principal Researcher at BIOPOLIS/CIBIO-InBIO, vogal).

4. The workplace shall be at Associação BIOPOLIS/CIBIO – Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, in Campus de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas nº7, Vairão, Portugal and may involve travel in Portugal and abroad in service or representation of contract entity. 

5. Monthly remuneration to be paid is that set by subheading a) nr.1 article 15 of RJEC and article nr 2 of the Regulatory Decree nr. 11-A/2017, corresponding to level 33 of the Tabela Remuneratória Única, approved  by  Order  no.  1553-C/2008 of December 31st,  i.e.  2153,94 Euros.

6. Application can be submitted by any national, foreign and stateless candidate(s) holding a doctorate degree in biology or related area and a scientific and professional curriculum whose profile is suited for the activity described below (item 7).

In case the doctorate degree was awarded by a foreign higher education institution, it must comply with the provisions of Decree-Law no. 341/2007 of October 12th, and all formalities 

7. The tender admission general requirements are those defined in the previous point 6, and additional special requirements are:  

- PhD in Biology, Ecology or closely related field.

- Strong social, team and project management skills.

- Experience in team coordination.

- Strong planning and organizational skills.

- Diplomacy and ability to build good relationships.

- Experience in data management and statistical modelling, particularly using hierarchical models and under Bayesian frameworks.

- Demonstrated capacity for funding acquisition and report writing.

- Excellent scientific publication track record.

- Good knowledge about Southern African wildlife and ecology, particularly regarding to terrestrial mammals. 

- Good problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions.

- Fluency in English (spoken and written). 

8. Pursuant to article 5 of RJEC, the selection is to be made based on the evaluation of the scientific and curricular career of the candidate.

9. Scientific and curricular career evaluation focuses on relevance, quality and up-to-datedness: 

a) of scientific, technological, cultural or artistic production in the last five years, considered most relevant by the candidate; 

b) of research activities, fundamental or applied science, developed in the last five years, considered of higher impact by the candidate; 

c) of knowledge extension and dissemination activities developed in the last five years, namely under the scope of the promotion of culture and scientific practices, deemed most relevant by the candidate. 

d) of activities of science management, technology and innovation programs, or of experience in observing and monitoring the scientific and technological system or higher education, in Portugal or abroad.

10. The five-year period mentioned above can be extended by the panel, if requested by the candidate, whenever the suspension of scientific activities is reasoned by socially protected grounds like paternity leave, long-term serious illness, and other legal situations of unavailability to work. 

11. Evaluation criteria are the following: 

The evaluation of the CV of the candidates, in particular the scientific merit and research experience will take into consideration the elements presented for the last five years of activity falling within the scope of the specific areas of the tender (see Point 1) and will be performed according to the following criteria:

11.1 Integrated assessment of the curriculum trajectory of the candidate, based on an overview of their scientific merits, namely: 

I. overall scientific coherence of the CV – 15%

II. diversity and quality of scientific indicators, including relevant published peer-reviewed articles and abstracts in the specific areas of announce (see point 1) - 25%

III. participation in research projects and students supervision - 10% 

11.2 Relevant experience, proved in CV, in:

I. Coordination, team and project management  – 10%

II. Experience in Southern African countries – 20%

III. Data management and statistical modelling – 20%

12. In the case of admitted candidates whose evaluation does not differ more than 10% from that obtained by the best positioned candidate, the jury will interview these candidates. This will be aimed at obtaining clarifications and explanations about the curricular elements and additional information as well as to evaluate the attitude profile and motivation of the candidate.

The final score of each jury member is obtained by the following assessment: 90% scientific and curricular career evaluation and 10% interview.

13. Candidate final classification system shall be given based on a scale 0 to 100.

14. The panel shall deliberate by means of roll-call vote justified under adopted and disclosed selection criteria, with no abstentions allowed.

15. Minutes of panel meetings shall be executed and include a summary of all occurrences of said meeting, as well as of all votes casted by the members and respective reasoning, and shall be provided to candidates whenever required.

16. After selection criteria application, the panel shall prepare a sorted list of approved candidates and respective classification.

17. Panel’s final decision shall be validated by the leader of the institution, who is also in charge of deciding about the hiring. 

18. Application formalization:

18.1. The applications are formalized at the electronic address https://www.cibio.pt with following documents in a digital form, in PDF format:

i) Curriculum vitae

ii) Motivational Letter

iii) Qualifications Certificate

iv) Other relevant documentation

18.2. The application period is from 23/12/2021 to 31/01/2023

Expect starting date: 1st March 2023

19. All candidates who formalize their applications in an improper way or fail to prove the requirements imposed by this tender are excluded from admission. In case of doubt, the panel is entitled to request any candidate to present further documentation supporting their statements.

20. False statements provided by the candidates shall be punished by law.

21. Both admitted and excluded candidate list and final classification list shall be notified by email.

22. Preliminary Hearing and Final Decision Deadline: After notification, all candidates have 10 working days to respond. Panel’s final decisions are pronounced within a period of 90 working days, from response period deadline.

 

23. This tender is exclusively destined to fill this specify position and can be terminated at any time until approval of final candidate list, expiring with the respective occupation of said position.